740.00112 European War 1939/10721: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—5:25 p.m.]
3702. From Riefler. Stanton Griffis arrived evening of May 4, and will leave London en route to Stockholm evening May 6 accompanied by Poteat.43 At conference at MEW today Griffis outlined plan he proposed to pursue, namely, to seek contract with SKF terminating definitely and completely all further deliveries of bearing machinery to enemy Europe. If this proved impossible, but partial suspension could be secured, he stated he must refer such moves for approval to Washington and London. Griffis stated that he was prepared to pay any reasonable amount to secure this objective but naturally did not [Page 531] wish to pay more than was necessary. British stated their complete support of the program and agreed to share half of the costs provided that their preemptive purchases (already amounting to about 2 million pounds) were taken into consideration as part of the program.
Waring, who has obtained certain details of German orders with SKF, is in Great Britain and will arrive in London tonight. We plan to work over his material in conjunction with ours before Griffis leaves. Waring will return to Stockholm early next week to help in the negotiations.
Sent to Department. Repeated to Stockholm as 162. [Riefler.]
- J. Douglas Poteat, Chief Administrative Officer, Economic Warfare Division of the American Embassy in London.↩